Lions lash Bulls

The Golden Lions scored five tries in their 35-26 hammering of the Blue Bulls in Johannesburg.

The Lions finished this contest with a win and a bonus point, but they will know that they may have triumphed by a greater margin had they been more accurate.

The Bulls were inconsistent in just about every department. They conceded metres on defence during the initial stages and their discipline let them down. Having said that, their defence was excellent when they were down to 14 men.

Fullback Clayton Blommetjies was yellow-carded for tripping a Lions player in the 17th minute, and yet, the Bulls managed to survive the sanction without conceding a point. When flyhalf Tony Jantjies was carded later in the half for cynical play, the Bulls showed their resolve once again.

Against every expectation, the scoreline read 13-7 to the Lions at half-time. Given the Lions' dominance at the collisions and the fact that the Bulls were down to 14 men for 20 minutes, the hosts should have put their Gauteng rivals away.

The Bulls' resistance crumbled in the second stanza. The Lions squandered a few chances but eventually scored through Ruan Dreyer from close range. Replacement prop Jacques van Rooyen scored the bonus-point try for the hosts in the 58th minute and Marnitz Boshoff added the fifth try as the game reached the hour-mark.

The final scoreline flattered the Bulls. The game was already won after 60 minutes and the expansive approach of the Lions often created opportunities for the Bulls. The visitors were able to score four tries and get a consolation bonus point.

The result sees the Lions moving up to third position on the Currie Cup log. The losing bonus point has lifted the Bulls from last place to fifth.